Why am I forced to get 2x3 UltraConnect II antenna?

[Antioch]

I've recently looked on Lenovo's site and customized an X61s and I'm given the option of a regular LCD with 2x3 UltraConnect II antenna or and ultralight LCD with 2x3 UltraConnect II antenna.

Is this 2x3 UltraConnect II antenna the cumbersome protrusion I've seen sticking out of the LCD display (the one that has a retractable cell-phone antenna)?

Why is Lenovo forcing this garbage on us? I don't want it, nor do I want WWAN, so why can't I get rid of it?

Signed,
A very unhappy camper.

[kenshinxue]

It is said that the untraconnect II antenna is for wireless N, not for WWAN.

I am unhappy that Lenovo has caused so much confusion.

[gator]

Is this 2x3 UltraConnect II antenna the cumbersome protrusion I've seen sticking out of the LCD display (the one that has a retractable cell-phone antenna)?

That is indeed ultraconnect II. I don't know the answers to your other question though.

[patch]

There was a diagram on lenovo's website that pretty much cleared your question up. But the fact is that the UltraConnect II 2x3 that you are forced to get just simply adds a third wifi antenna to the top left side of your LCD under the bezel and away from view. Otherwise you'd just have two, which would mean you could not use the MIMO feature found on most wireless-N routers.

If you are not getting the UltraConnect WWAN (labeled "integrated Wireless WAN" on the order page), then you wont get the antenna for it, unless you paid the extra 200 or so dollars. the wwan antenna is the one that sticks out on the right side of the laptop and is retractable.

Here is the diagram which should help you understand a little bit.
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-67822

All x61/s notebooks come with the first two antenna's (listed as #14) located on the top left and top right of the LCD display

UltraConnect wireless LAN antennas: main and auxiliary
ThinkPad models feature an integrated diversity antenna system built
into the display for optimal reception, enabling wireless communication wherever you are.

Then the slightly optional (now forced) third antenna (labeled as #16) is located in the top leftcenter of the LCD (still out of physical view).

UltraConnect wireless LAN antenna: third
If your computer has the Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) wireless LAN feature, the third wireless antenna is on the top side of the computer display.

Then the ever so expensive and "cumbersome" wwan antenna (labeled as #17 but still carries the ultra connect name) is clearly show to be on the right side sticking out.

UltraConnect wireless WAN antenna
If your computer has the wireless WAN feature, the antenna is on the right side of the computer display.

Hope that helps a bit.

[politicorific]

excellent post patch, I had no idea there was a microphone on my x61s, now I don't really need my bluetooth headset or external mic for tuning

[Antioch]

Patch: Thank you very much for your post. It cleared things up a lot. Now I can see that, not only does the 2x3 UltraConnect antenna not show up on the exterior of the machine, but it's an antenna that you'd want to have.

Again, thanks for clearing things up.

Kenshin: I do agree, Lenovo made a mistake in labeling the MIMO and WWAN antennas practically the same thing.